Import Pool

ZFS pool importing works for pools exported or disconnected from the current system, those created on another system, and for pools you reconnect after reinstalling or upgrading the TrueNAS system.

The import procedure only applies to disks with a ZFS storage pool.

TrueNAS supports pool imports using the WebUI or API only. Manual pool import via command line can cause unexpected behavior and system issues.

Do I need to do anything different with disks installed on a different system?

When physically installing ZFS pool disks from another system, use the zpool export poolname command in the Linux command line or a web interface equivalent to export the pool on that system. Shut down that system and move the drives to the TrueNAS system. Shutting down the original system prevents an in use by another machine error during the TrueNAS import.

To import a pool, go to the Storage Dashboard and click Import Pool at the top of the screen.

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Disks

The Disks screen lists the physical drives (disks) installed in the system. The list includes the names, serial numbers, sizes, and pools for each system disk.

Use the Columns dropdown list to select options to customize disk the information displayed. Options are Select All, Name, Serial (the disk serial number), Disk Size, Pool (where the disk is in use), Disk Type, Description, Model, Transfer Mode, Rotation Rate (RPM), HDD Standby, Adv. Power Management, and Reset to Defaults. Each option displays the information you enter in the Edit Disk screen or when you install the disk.

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Advanced Settings

Advanced Settings provides configuration options for the console, syslog, kernel, sysctl, replication, cron jobs, init/shutdown scripts, system dataset pool, isolated GPU device(s), self-encrypting drives, system access sessions, allowed IP addresses, audit logging, and global two-factor authentication.

TrueNAS Enterprise
Enterprise-licensed system administrators have additional options to configure security-related settings, such as FIPS and STIG compatibility and Self-Encrypting Drive (SED) configuration.

Advanced settings have reasonable defaults in place. A warning message displays for some settings advising of the dangers of making changes. Changing advanced settings can be dangerous when done incorrectly. Use caution before saving changes.

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Advanced Settings Screen

Advanced settings have reasonable defaults in place. A warning message displays for some settings advising of the dangers of making changes. Changing advanced settings can be dangerous when done incorrectly. Use caution before saving changes.
Make sure you are comfortable with ZFS, Linux, and system configuration, backup, and restoration before making any changes.

The Advanced Settings screen provides configuration options for the console, syslog, audit, kernel, sysctl, storage (system dataset pool), replication, WebSocket sessions, cron jobs, init/shutdown scripts, allowed IP addresses, isolated GPU device(s), self-encrypting drives, and global two-factor authentication.

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Create Pool

TrueNAS uses ZFS data storage pools to efficiently store and protect data.

What is a pool?

Storage pools attach drives organized into virtual devices called VDEVs. Drives arranged inside VDEVs provide varying amounts of redundancy and performance. ZFS and VDEVs combined create high-performance pools that maximize data lifetime.

ZFS and TrueNAS periodically review and heal when discovering a bad block in a pool.

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Pool Creation Wizard

The Pool Creation Wizard configuration screens include a configuration preview and an inventory list of disks available on the system.

Create Pool at the top right of the Storage Dashboard screen opens the Pool Creation Wizard.

Configuration Preview lists pool and VDEV settings that dynamically update as you configure settings in the wizard.

Inventory displays the number of available disks by size on the system, and this list dynamically updates as disks move to VDEVs added in the wizard.

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SLOG Over-Provisioning

TrueNAS Enterprise
Over-provisioning an SSD distributes the total number of writes and erases across more flash blocks on the drive. Seagate provides a thoughtful investigation into over-provisioning SSDs here: https://www.seagate.com/blog/ssd-over-provisioning-benefits-master-ti/.
For more general information on SLOG disks, see SLOG Devices.
Because this is a potentially disruptive procedure, contact TrueNAS Enterprise Support to review your overprovisioning needs and schedule a maintenance window.
Customers who purchase TrueNAS hardware or that want additional support must have a support contract to use TrueNAS Support Services. The TrueNAS Community forums provides free support for users without a TrueNAS Support contract.

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Storage

The Storage Dashboard screen allows users to configure and manage storage resources such as pools (VDEVs) and disks. The dashboard widgets organize functions related to storage resources.

No Pools Screen

The No Pools screen displays before you add the first pool.

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Fusion Pools

Fusion Pools are also known as ZFS allocation classes, ZFS special vdevs, and metadata vdevs (Metadata vdev type on the Pool Manager screen).

What is a special VDEV?

A special VDEV can store metadata such as file locations and allocation tables. The allocations in the special class are dedicated to specific block types. By default, this includes all metadata, the indirect blocks of user data, and any deduplication tables. The class can also be provisioned to accept small file blocks. This is a great use case for high-performance but smaller-sized solid-state storage. Using a special vdev drastically speeds up random I/O and cuts the average spinning-disk I/Os needed to find and access a file by up to half.

Creating a Fusion Pool

On the Storage Dashboard, click Create Pool, or click Add To Pool, then select New Pool.

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Managing Pools

The Storage Dashboard widgets provide enhanced storage provisioning capabilities and access to pool management options to keep the pool and disks healthy, upgrade pools and VDEVs, open datasets, snapshots, data protection screens, and manage S.M.A.R.T. tests. This article provides instructions on pool management functions available in the TrueNAS UI.

Setting Up Auto TRIM

Select Storage on the main navigation panel to open the Storage Dashboard. Locate the Storage Health widget for the pool, then click the Edit Auto TRIM. The Pool Options for poolname dialog opens.

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